What happens if I get caught sneaking food into a movie?

This 2007 photo shows a former McCaw Hall lecture hall that was converted into a movie theater for the Seattle International Film Festival. (Mike Urban/seattlepi.com file)

Q: I’ve often brought outside food into movie theaters, but I’ve had friends who say I could be arrested if I’m caught. Could I really be arrested for sneaking food into a movie theater?

A: It’s possible, but you’ll have to do more than just sneak in food.

The prohibition of outside food at movie theaters is a rule set by the private company, not a law.

“It’s basically up to them to enforce,” Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt said.

But that’s where it gets tricky. If someone is caught, he can be told not to return. That could be embarrassing, and police say theater staff also could have an officer issue a trespass warning, notifying the person that he would be arrested if he returns.

If a person who sneaks food into a theater refuses to leave, he or she could be arrested for trespassing.

Someone is guilty of trespassing of if he or she “knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises of another,” according to the Seattle Municipal Code. Second-degree trespassing is a misdemeanor, which could lead to an arrest.

What if someone brings in a beer or single-shot bottles of liquor? It’s still unlikely that the person would be arrested.

If the drinker refuses to leave, he or she could be arrested for trespassing. Another option is that Seattle police could give a ticket for violating the city’s open container law.

That’s a $27 fine.

But in general, police say it’s unlikely someone would be arrested for bringing outside food to a theater.

If you want to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation while eating more than popcorn candy and sodas, Seattle has the Central Cinema at 1411 21st Ave.. The Cinebarre in Mountlake Terrace also serves drinks, and there is the Big Picture in Belltown. The Central Cinema was inspired in part by the Olympic Club in Centralia, where train bandit Roy Gardener was once captured. The AMC Pacific Place 11 also has a beer garden as part of its concessions.